The Commerce & Economic Development Bureau will conduct a study on developing Hong Kong into a regional data centre, Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Professor KC Chan says.

Due for completion mid-next year, the study will look into market demand for different types of data centres, analyse whether changing the industrial premises policy can cater to the needs of developing data centres, and examine measures in regions.

Prof Chan told legislators today a preliminary analysis of the different requirements for building facilities of different types of data centres has been conducted.

The Development Bureau has been consulted as the proposal to allow service providers installing data centre equipment or facilities in industrial premises involves land resources utilisation.

He said Invest Hong Kong actively promotes Hong Kong's advantages to existing and potential end users and data centre operators globally by conducting overseas visits to potential clients and helping them develop business plans in Hong Kong.